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A NEW 10-year plan has been launched to help thousands more people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) find good jobs, earn more money, and live healthier, happier lives.

The Get Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Working Plan 2025-2035 aims to improve economic opportunities and tackle the barriers that prevent residents from getting good quality work.

It’s been led by Leicester City Council, working in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICB) for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. 

The authorities have also worked alongside local councils, employers, colleges and community organisations to ensure the plan is focused on helping everyone to benefit from a stronger, fairer local economy.   

The plan sets out four key priorities for action:

Partnership working: Continue to build a strong partnership working between councils, the NHS, employers and the VCSE sector to deliver a seamless, coordinated employment, health and skills system.

Evidence-led delivery: Use shared data, intelligence, insight and evaluation to target resources effectively and scale place-based approaches that deliver measure impact.

Employer engagement:  Engage businesses proactively to align employment support and provision with labour market needs, promote inclusion and drive economic growth.

Breaking down barriers:  Continue to help to break down economic inactivity barriers linking to growth opportunities and creating clear, supported pathways to secure, high-quality employment.

Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, Leicester deputy city mayor for housing, economy and neighbourhoods, said: “The Government has set us the challenging target of raising employment levels to 80%, but it is a challenge we are embracing.

“Through this plan, we are making a commitment to the people of the region that if they step up, we will work across public services to support them, in whatever ways they need. It’s why we are working so closely with our partners in health, skills, employment support, and in the benefits system.

“We realise this is a challenging time for the economy across the area, but we will continue to work together to maximise the opportunities and resources across LLR to support our residents into employment opportunities.”

Deputy leader of Leicestershire County Council, Kevin Crook, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting this partnership plan, which is bringing together a number of organisations to spot and create as many opportunities to help people into employment.  

“We know that across the county there is huge potential, and we know that businesses know their needs. That’s why this evidence-based plan will build on our strengths by bringing together partners and business leaders to create sustainable employment opportunities, fill vacancies and support economic growth.”

Cllr Rosemary Powell, portfolio holder for property and economic development at Rutland County Council, said: “Building a strong rural economy with a productive, sustainable and diverse business base is a key pillar of our long-term strategy for a thriving county. To achieve this, it’s important we understand the needs of local businesses and make sure training, education and funding opportunities are geared towards meeting these needs. The Get Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Working Plan will play a really important role in helping us to grow a more productive local economy – working alongside our business partners to provide greater opportunities for better paid jobs locally.”

Laura Moig, group director for DWP Central Midlands said: “This working plan was developed by a strong partnership and is our strategy to reduce economic inactivity and increase employment across LLR. The plan has a real focus on improving health, work and skills to create more opportunities for everyone.”

Professor Nil Sanganee, chief medical officer of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “People experiencing ill health are a key priority for this plan, including those with long-term health conditions or disabilities and those undergoing planned or unplanned episodes of care. Supporting these individuals to enter, remain in, or return to work is essential, both for improving population health outcomes and for strengthening the economic resilience of our communities.

“NHS partners in LLR have already demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the vital links between work and health, through initiatives such as Work Well, which aims to support people with long-term conditions to enter or remain in employment.

“We will work collaboratively with local authorities, employers and system partners to ensure that health is never a barrier to opportunity. Together, we can create the conditions where everyone has the opportunity to work, contribute and live well.”

The plan is a live document that will grow and adapt as the economy and local priorities evolve. Regular reviews will ensure the plan stays relevant, flexible, and focused on making a lasting difference.

The full plan is available on the city council’s website at leicester.gov.uk/get-llr-working